Cash boost allows CitySwitch Green Office program to expand

The CitySwitch Green Office program, coordinated by the City of Sydney, has received a $1 million cash injection from the Australian Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism as part of the Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program.

CitySwitch currently represent 375 signatories who have 431 separate tenancies occupying almost 2 million m² of office space. Tenants joining the program commit to achieving a minimum 4-star rating for energy use on the national rating system, NABERS. Recent signatories include Merrill Lynch, Leightons, Corrs Chambers Westgarth and the Australian Nurses Federation.

The new grant, to be delivered over two years, will allow the program to bring its carbon-cutting benefits to suburban and regional areas across Australia. The not-for-profit Net Balance Foundation will employ more staff to extend its reach, providing expert energy-saving advice to many smaller commercial organisations that do not have access to the CitySwitch program.

Terence Jeyaretnam, executive director of Net Balance, said CitySwitch is “closely aligned with Net Balance’s ambition to enable and accelerate resilience, efficiency and innovation through sustainability in organisations right around Australia, irrespective of their size and financial capacity”.

He added, “We are excited to partner with CitySwitch and work with the federal government to help expand the depth and reach of the program to regional Australia.”

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said CitySwitch has been “remarkably successful in Australia’s capital cities. Now it will help businesses in regional areas enjoy the savings bigger firms have been reaping.” Esther Bailey, CitySwitch’s national program coordinator, added that the funding provides “a huge opportunity to commercial office tenants around Australia to join our existing network of businesses that are reaping the benefits of energy-efficient offices and the lower operating costs they deliver”.

The first signatory since the expansion is Viatek, a technology solutions provider to regional businesses in NSW and Victoria, Warragul branch. Sally Fox, environmental and sustainability champion of Viatek, said the company is pleased “to have support in implementing effective measures to help our business improve its energy efficiency”.

The City of Sydney’s program partners include councils in North Sydney, Parramatta, Willoughby and Ryde, Adelaide City Council, City of Perth, City of Melbourne as well as the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage. Bailey invites “any local councils interested in helping local businesses reduce their energy consumption to get in touch and find out how CitySwitch can help”.

CitySwitch signatories have free access to impartial advice, resources and financial assistance for getting improved energy ratings. The program recently launched an online resource hub containing tips and advice.

CitySwitch holds regular workshops and information sessions where members share ideas and learn new ways to make their businesses more sustainable. A national event series co-hosted by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors will begin in Sydney tomorrow night, demonstrating how to choose and manage an energy-efficient workplace.